Lesbian couple beaten in apparent hate crime following an auto accident in Detroit

Equality Michigan working with victims of the brutal beating that left one women unconscious

DETROIT - In the early morning of September 23rd there was an accident at Livernois and Davison in Detroit. The car of Courtney, age 22, and Kenyetta, age 20, was struck by two women in a SUV. During the exchange of information, the passenger of the SUV and Kenyetta got into a verbal fight that became physical. Courtney tried to intervene and break up the fight.

The SUV driver allegedly said "I can't believe this man just hit me" and proceeded to call her boyfriend, who arrived within five minutes with four of his male friends. Courtney was allegedly told that because she "acts like a man" that she would "get beaten like one". The males attacked the couple, using anti-lesbian and anti-trans slurs. Courtney was knocked unconscious. Subsequently a Detroit Police Detective has been assigned to the case and the victims are in the process of submitting their statements.

Photo caption: Courtney following the attack

Statement by Emily Dievendorf
Director of Policy, Equality Michigan

"On September 23rd, a verbal altercation following a minor car accident resulted in the beating of a lesbian couple. The women reported that the brutal attack became even more severe because of their sexual orientation and gender expression. Equality Michigan has been working with the Detroit Police and requested an immediate escalation of the investigation into this crime. In addition to giving the case the attention any brutal attack of this nature deserves, Equality Michigan also calls on the police and prosecutor to consider if the case should be referred to the federal courts for prosecution under the Byrd-Shepard Hate Crimes Act. Equality Michigan continues to call on the Michigan legislature to add gay and transgender individuals to the state's Ethnic Intimidation Act so hate crimes such as this can be properly prosecuted within the state of Michigan."

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Equality Michigan has worked passionately for over 20 years to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For more information, visit www.equalitymi.org.